Jim plays valve trombone in the BBB Jazz Orchestra and randomly offends audience members. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and is currently employed by the taxpayers of Princeton, Minnesota to guide their high school aged youth through positive instrumental musical experiences. In his spare time Jim directs the Centennial Community Band, teaches private low brass lessons, directs the St. Michael-Albertville High School Marching Knights, coaches the MN All-State Tuba/Euphoniums, Co-Directs the U of M Summer Alumni Band, and spends time working toward complete baldness. He lives in Anoka with his beautiful wife Krystal and their Rottweiler, Bruce and their newest family addition!
Kathi has been playing tenor saxophone for 44 years, and in the last 10 years added soprano, alto, and her new favorite, the
Brady Moroney, 38, is a homeless transient with an alleged criminal record of musical instrument thefts (all acquitted). After serving time for various acts of noise ordinance violations, he has pursued shelter in various local nursing homes and retirement centers – under the guise of providing entertainment. His troupe of followers share equally suspicious backgrounds and frequently convene to compare notes on this country’s judicial system. When not making noise Brady enjoys his mistress, Sandy, and two illegitimate children - Donovan and Mackenzie, who all live not far from the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility.
Jamie Stoudt plays trombone for the BBB Jazz Orchestra. He is also the author of the auto-biography "Dumbest Things I've Done", but couldn't get it published due to its extended length. He's played in numerous stage bands or big bands since high school, with his high school years spent way before microwaves, cell phones, internet, computers, or anything recyclable. Jamie accidentally shot his grandfather while duck hunting (drew no blood, but wrecked a nice jacket), and has accidentally dropped more things out of the back of trucks than any known human, including a new hot water heater (did you know those are glass-lined?), a pinball machine, a set of new cherry kitchen cabinets (lifted by the hand of God and dropped in a ditch), and his wife's grand piano. She doesn't play much anymore.
Kay Larson is a low brass player in the BBB. She has been playing in the band since 2005 and is married to the BBB Orchestra drummer, Tom. Kay and Tom reside in
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Tom Larson began playing drums at 10 years old. He played percussion through High School and has since played with the Roseville Community band and the Centennial Community band. One highlight of his drumming career besides BBB was playing with the Cashmen. They were a blues band that drew national attention after winning the 1995 battle of the bands. Tom joined BBB Orchestra in 2005. Jazz has become his favorite playing style. Tom enjoys playing softball, golf and waterskiing. Tom’s wife Kay, also plays in the BBB.
Mike, bass, might also have been noticed playing electric bass professionally in the 1970's in one of these groups: 1) Inside Straight, a ten-piece rhythm and blues band with five horns, played at a variety of Twin Cities venues in the late 70's, including William's Pub. 2) Sweet Thing, a more commercial band, played from about 1975 to 1978, including several month-long gigs at the Mermaid. 3) Rock and Roll, Inc., performed in a five-state area of the upper midwest around 1974. The performances of Home Free including playing at Duffy's at 26th and 26th in Minneapolis. On Average White Band tunes, Mike played trumpet and bass simultaneously, slapping the bass strings as he fretted with his left hand to make them sound. Mike now plays bass in Nice and Easy, a combo that includes vocalist (and niece) Lauren Redpath and drummer Kenne Thomas.
Mark Hendrickson started playing the trumpet in the Appleton MN 5th grade band. He became interested in the trumpet because his father, Virgil, played the bugle in the Army during WWII. Mark has participated in community bands, church groups and the
Linda
Adjectives such as "diverse, creative and prepared" accurately capture Cathie Krueger's musical experience, talents and approach. Her background includes 30 years of multi-generational piano instruction (Cathie draws upon her 9 years as a teacher, education degrees from Bethel and St. Thomas, and an undergraduate music minor to tailor lessons for individual students). She has been accompanying musical groups of many styles and sizes since high school - the spectrum includes show choirs, praise bands, college chorales, and gospel groups such as Stand Up. As a church organist for about 25 years (serving three church denominations full-time, and many others as a fill-in), and as a training consultant and performer for the well-known Rogers organ company, she has demonstrated adaptability and innovation. Cathie prides herself on diligently preparing for upcoming events, and prides herself on infusing "feeling" into pieces, bringing life to the notes. Her keyboard skills are supplemented by acclaimed experience as a clarinetist, and she continues growing musically through studying the guitar and accordion, and dabbling in composition. Finally, Cathie has a fine alto voice to round out her abilities.
Scott
Tom is one of the newer additions to the band. He visited as an alternate on alto sax, and hasn’t missed a practice or gig, since. Tom is reliable and fun and let’s loose with the BBB after a long hard day at his day job. Like the other members of the BBB, Tom looks to the band for the stress relief, and the socializing with fun loving musicians who share the drive to be the best they can be while enjoying the ability to offer the gift of music to the audience.
Joel grew up in a musical family, as both his father and his grandfather were band directors. He started playing in 5th grade, and played in several high school honor bands. He was honored with the Louis Armstrong Award, and the John Phillips Sousa Award in his senior year at Wheaton North High School, reflecting his flexibility for both classical and jazz music. Joel went on to play in the Marching Illini of the University of Illinois, in Champaign- Urbana. After a year in the Marching Illini, Joel traded in his horn for a cheerleading uniform, and remains part of both alumni groups. Joel is originally from the Chicago Area, and joined the BBB when he joined Trane in 2010. Joel enjoys time with his sons, Connor and Vance, and participates in all sorts of sports, ranging from waterskiing to golf.
Dan plays regularly in Roseville Big Band, Red Rock Swing Band, New Life jazz band, New Life orchestra, New Life Brass, Roseville Lutheran Jazzers and Woodbury Brass. He has subbed with several area big bands and have played in several churches, including playing part time with So. Washington Community Band, subbing with the Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, and playing weddings and funerals on call. Dan has also played in several community and high school theater musicals. Dan also plays in the Good News Band, the White Bear Big Band, and the Maple Stree Ramblers and has been a part of the Community Brass, playing for Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies.
Dean REALLY enjoys music and the passionate, loving people that are the BBB, their great music, and helping with equipment logistics, and refreshments. Dean continues to learn about sound systems while making music with his incredible wife, Kathi.
Bjorn, trumpet, is 23 years old. He grew up in White Bear Lake and has been playing the trumpet since he was in sixth grade. He played first trumpet in the Bethel University Wind Symphony as well as the Bethel University Jazz Orchestra. He has also performed locally with a jazz quartet. He loves listening to jazz and learning the classic styles of the greats. Bjorn is married to his wonderful wife Emily who is a nurse at Children's Hospital. Along with playing trumpet Bjorn enjoys fishing, going up to the cabin, and playing golf whenever there is time. He works as a mutual fund accountant at The Hartford. He and Emily reside in St. Paul. Bjorn not only plays in the Big Band, but also the 7 Cats, and sometimes the BBB Jazz Combo.
Will plays the upright bass and bass guitar for the BBB Jazz Orchestra. Will is originally from